Chevrolet SS: V8-power at New York Auto Show

The Chevrolet SS is Chevrolet's first rear-wheel-drive sedan since 1996.

General Motors' new Chevrolet SS sedan, making its first auto show appearance at the New York Auto Show this week, is a rear-wheel-drive performance sedan powered by the same V8 engine used in the Corvette sports car.

The car isn't going to sell in huge numbers, according to GM. This car is mostly about image-building and excitement. It will appeal to a core group of buyers that are interested in more than just a friendly family sedan, GM spokesman Randy Fox said.

"We're looking to attract that enthusiast seeking out a stylish sedan that has great performance," said Fox.

The SS was first unveiled at the Daytona 500 Nascar race in February.

The four-door SS is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 estimated to produce 415 horsepower. While the engine is taken from the Corvette, much of the car's other engineering is borrowed from the Chevrolet Camaro. The SS will be built in the Australia where essentially the same car is sold as the Holden Commodore. (A previous version of the Commodore was sold here, for a short time, as the Pontiac G8. GM killed off the Pontiac brand in 2009.)

With more car shoppers today focusing on fuel economy rather than driving excitement, some are questioning whether the SS is really a car that Chevrolet brand needs right now.

"You have the Camaro already," said Todd Turner of auto industry consulting company Car Concepts. "So now you have that car with four doors. So what?"